Casting installation

ABSTRACT

A casting installation comprising a container for a molten metal and provided with control slide means disposed at the region of the bottom opening of the container. The control slide means incorporate a housing and a cover member, with a slide member movably mounted between such housing and cover member. Further, a slide plate is provided for said slide member, said slide plate having a throughflow opening. Means are provided for guiding said slide member in a substantially linear path, such linear guiding means being guide groove means or guide ledge means provided on the cover member. Positioning element means provided at the cover member and the housing engage one another, in order to maintain the path of sliding movement for the slide member which is determined by said linear guiding means in a plane containing the axis of material throughflow.

United States Patent Bernhard Tinnes [72] Inventor Zollikon, Switzerland [21] Appl. No. 706,976 [22] Filed Feb. 20, 1968 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee Metacon AG Zollikon, Switzerland [32} Priority Feb. 24, 1967 [3 3 Switzerland [31] 2739/67 [54] CASTING INSTALLATION 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

FOREIGN PATENTS 672,687 11/1965 Belgium Primary Examiner--Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner- David A. Scherbel Att0rney Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT: A casting installation comprising a container for a molten metal and provided with control slide means disposed at the region of the bottom opening of the container. The control slide means incorporate a housing and a cover member, with a slide member movably mounted between such housing and cover member. Further, a slide plate is provided for said slide member, said slide plate having a throughflow opening. Means are provided for guiding said slide member in a substantially linear path, such linear guiding means being guide groove means or guide ledge means provided on the cover member. Positioning element :means provided at the cover member and the housing engage one another, in order to maintain the path of sliding movement for the slide member which is determined by said linear guiding means in a plane containing the axis of material throughflow.

I CASTING INSTALLATION:

BACKGROUND on THE INVENTIQN The present invention relates to an improved casting or pouring installation, and in particular pertains to a sliding closure arrangement provided at the pouring or discharge opening of a container or receptacle for a liquid melt, for instance a casting or pouring ladle.

In'sliding closure mechanisms or arrangements provided at pouring ladles or the like the problem exists of constructing the slide member in such a manner that the movable slide element is perfectly guided. This guiding action should be such that the slide plate is always intended to be brought into a position which is aligned with respect to the stationary base or bottom plate, and specifically in such a way that in the open position of the slide plate its throughflow opening is exactly disposed in the extension of the throughflow opening at the base plate. In other words-,- the axes of both throughflow openings coincide. Notwithstanding the fact that the movable slide element must be guided in the slide housing with relatively little or no play it is also necessary to prevent any binding of such slide element in the presence of the termal expansions which occur during the high pouring or casting temperatures. Apart from the foregoing, it must be insured that, during replacement of the base plate and the slide plate, both of which are subjected to pronounced wear during the pouring operation, all of the components again assume that position which ensures that in the open position of the slide plate its throughflow opening will assume a coaxial position with respect to the throughflow opening of the base plate. In this context it is particularly important that the cover member of the slide housing possesses an exactly predetermined position, and that the base plate and the .slide plate, during such time as they are fixed with mortar or plaster at their associated components, continuously retain a constant position.

Now, with prior art casting installations incorporating a slide closure mechanism of the type under consideration, the obtainment of this objective was not or only partially possible.

SUMMARY OF- THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved casting or pouring installation which renders possible the achievement of the previously mentioned objectives by relatively simple means.

Another, more specific object of the present invention re lates to an improved casting installation incorporating a slide closure mechanism wherein theindividual elements thereof can be dismantled and again mounted so as to assume an exactly predetermined position.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved casting installation incorporating a slide closure mechanism or control slide means which is of relatively simple construction, extremely reliable in operation, and wherein the components thereof can be mounted and dismantied in an extremely efficient, quick and reliable manner, while at the same time assuring that such components will be located in an exactly predetermined position.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventivecasting or pouring installation is of the type comprising a container or receptacle for a molten metal. The containerincludes a bottom portion having an opening for the discharge of molten metal material therefrom. A control or closure slide means or mechanism is provided at the opening of the floor portion of the container. This control slide means incorporates a housing and cover member, and further includes a slide member :which is movably mounted between the aforementioned housing and cover member. Additionally, a slide plate is provided for the slide member, and such slide plate possesses a throughflow opening. The invention further contemplates the provision of means for guiding the slide member in a substantially linear path.

Now, according to one important aspect of the present invention, such linear guiding means partake the form of guide grooves or ledges provided at the cover member. Additionally, the cover member and housing possess positioning elements which are in engagement with one another in order to maintain the pathof sliding movement determined by the linear guiding means in a plane containing the throughflow axis.

It has been found that the arrangement of the linear guiding means for the movable slide member at the cover member of the control slide means provides considerable advantages as opposed to the arrangement of linear guiding means at the slide housing. First of all, the machining or processing, as well as any subsequent machining, of the relevant surfaces which form or carry the guiding means at the cover member is much simpler than if corresponding work had to be undertaken internally of the housing. Additionally, it is much easier to install the movable slide member and, if desired, together with the cover member.

If the linear guide or guiding means, which for instance can be formed by a groove at the cover member and a guide ledge or rib provided at the movable slide member and engaging in such groove, are only arranged at one side of the aforementioned axis, then the termal expansions which are decisive for the guiding properties of the movable slide member are of such a small degree in relation to the dimensions of the linear guiding means that there can be readily prevented any clamping or binding between the lateral guidle surfaces. Owing to the construction of the linear guiding means in the form of groove means and ledge means it is possible to positively fix the position of the movable slide member transverse to its direction of movement in each position. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a clamping or binding of the movable slide member by providing an arrangement of clamping screws or the like in a manner that the clamping force is applied in that vertical plane in which there is necessary a cooperative sealing relationship of the slide plate and the base plate. Furthermore, any additional screws or the like which are necessary for the further attachment of the cover member to the housing cannot cause any tilting of the cover member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, depicting certain preferred embodiments of inventive casting or pouring installation, and wherein:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is depicted the bottom or floor portion 2 of a casting or pouring ladle for instance. This bottom portion 2 is provided with a refractory lining 4. This refractory lining 4 possesses a recess 6 at its central region in which there is inserted a substantially cylindrical bottom block or stone 8. This bottom block or stone 8 is secured to the bottom portion 2 of the casting ladle by means of binding screws 10 or the like which engage, as shown, in appropriate recesses 12 located about the periphery of the aforementioned bottom block or stone 8.

A housing 14 of a control slide closure mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral 16, is secured in appropriate manner to the underside of the bottom 2 of the pouring ladle. A base plate 18 is mounted in the housing 14 and possesses a central throughflow opening as well as a recessed portion 22 which is coaxial with respect to this throughflow opening 2% and is at the side facing the apertured bottom block or stone 8. A bottom block sleeve member 28 is located in the central recess or bore of the apertured bottom block 8. This central recess or bore is formed of the portions 24 and 26, wherein the portion 24 is cylindrical and the portion 26 is conical, as best seen by referring to FIG. 1. Turning attention again to the bottom block sleeve member 28, it will be recognized that it has a bore which is formed of a diverging portion 30, viewed in the flow direction, and a subsequent converging portion 32, likewise viewed in the flow direction of the molten metal material. The bore of the bottom block or stone sleeve member 28 which is formed of the portions 30 and 32 is arranged substantially coaxial with respect to the throughfiow opening 243 provided at the base plate 18. Additionally, it will be seen that the converging bore portion 32 merges with the bore 26). Furthermore, it should be understood that a faultless sealing is obtained by virtue of the engagement of the bottom block sleeve member 28 in the recess 22 provided at the base plate 18. This sealing arrangement is always again completely obtained when exchanging the bottom block sleeve member 28 and the base plate 18.

Referring further to FIG. 1," it will be seen that a slide member 36 is secured in the housing 14 by means of a cover member 34 associated with the slide closure device or control slide means 16. This slide member 36 is equipped with a conical discharge jacket 40 which extends through an opening 38 provided at the cover member 34. A slide plate 42 is arranged at the slide member 36. This slide plate 42 is pressed at its upper flat surface against the confronting face of the base plate 18, and specifically in a manner which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. Slide plate 42 is provided with a bore 44 the axis of which intersects at right angles with the -longitudinal axis of the slide plate 42 and which in the open position of the slide unit or slide plate 42 coincide with the axis of the throughfiow opening 20. Accordingly, the bore 44 of the slide plate 42, in the open position of such plate, is located exactly in the extension of the throughflow opening 20.

Furthermore, it should be observed that the slide plate 42 possesses a downwardly extending conical shoulder or projection 46 which is engaged by a sleeve portion 48 of a discharge or pouring member 50. This discharge member 50 abuts against the'slide plate 42 in the direction of material flow, as shown, and further possesses a bore 52 which is located in the extension of the bore 44 of the slide plate 42. Now, the bores 44 and 52 narrow towards the bottom, that is in the direction of flow they conically taper and possess a common linear generatrix. Also, it will be seen that the discharge member 50 is surrounded by a suitable insulation ring member 54 which is supported by an internal flange on the lower end of the discharge jacket 4b of the slide member 36. This insulation ring 54 is equipped with a heating coil 56 or the like at its inner portion neighboring the discharge member 50. The heating coil or spiral 56 can be connected to the leads 58 and a nonillustrated suitable current source.

The cover member 34 is retained at the housing 14 by means of six screws 60, 62 or equivalent fastening expedients, as such will now be explained. By referring in particular to FIG. 3, it will be recognized that four screws 60 are associated with the four corners of the housing 14 and cover member 34, whereas two screws 62, which are stronger than the screws 60, are disposed in a plane which contains the axis of the throughflow opening 20 Whereas the screws 60 only have the function of preventing any distortion of the cover member 34 under the influence of thermal effects, the screw members 62 serve to press the slide plate 42 against the base plate 18. The transmission of the clamping forces at the slide member 36 takes place at the support surfaces 64 and 66 which are formed along both lengthwise sides at the cover member 34. The flat lower faces of the longitudinal ribs 68 and 70 bear against the support surfaces 64 and 66, respectively.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the support surface 64 forms the base of a guide groove possessing a substantially rectangular-shaped profile, the side surfaces of which provide guide means for the similarly formed side surfaces of the longitudinal ribs 68. The axis of this guide groove passes at right angles through the plane containing the screw members F2. The position of the cover member 34 is fixed in relation to the housing 14 by means of twopositioning or centering pin members 72. The latter are mounted at the underface of the housing 14 and engage with the cover member 34, as shown in FIG. 3 These positioning pins 72 cannot only be used for fixing the position of the cover member 3 4," rather can also be employed for determining the position of one or more nonillustrated auxiliary devices, by means of which it is possible to insert at the bottom portion 2 of the pouring ladle the pouring block or stone 8, the pouring block sleeve member 28 in the pouring block 8 and the base plate 18 into the housing 14 and to hold such elements in an exactly predetermined position until the mortar or plaster has hardened. In this context it is important that the appropriate outer surfaces of the apertured bottom block sleeve member 28 as well as the upper front face of the base plate 18 is equipped with a plurality of grooves or riffles arranged in a suitable pattern. These grooves or riffles 74 provide better adhesion for the motor or plaster when it is applied to the appropriate surfaces, and thus serve to prevent any flowing away of the mortar during transportation of these components to the ladle as well as during installation thereof. Naturally, this effect could also be achieved by other expedients, for instance small ribs which increase the surface roughness of the aforementioned components and therefore improve the adhesion of the mortar or plaster. The same measures can be successfully employed at all other refractory components, for instance at the discharge or pouring member 50 and the slide plate 42. Still, it should be recognized that this measure is of particular significance when it is utilizedalways at those places where the plastered surfaces are disposed in vertical or extremely inclined positions.

In order to prevent a too intimate connection of the refractory components which are subject to wear, that is to say the bottom block sleeve member, the base plate, the slide plate and the discharge member with the apparatus which receives these components, it is possible to coat the corresponding connection surfaces of the bottom block, the housing and the movable slide member with a high melting substance or mixtures thereof. This coating substance should not, or at the most only slightly, react with the material of the connection surfaces. Suitable examples of such coating materials or substances are ceramic substances, metals of metal alloys, graphite or sulfide. It is thus possible to prevent a caking together or sintering of the exchangeable components which are secured by mortar or plaster and to thereby also facilitate or accelerate dismantling thereof.

Furthermore, it should be understood that in order to prevent any damage to the machined or worked guideand support surfaces of the cover member 34 during dismantling, the upper surface thereof is advantageously provided with upwardly directed cams or lugs 76. When the cover member 34 is dismantled these cams 76 function as feet in the event such cover member is placed in such a way that the side possessing the aforementioned surfaces is directed downwards.

Now, for the mounting of the bottom block sleeve member 28 and the base plate 18 by means of the previously mentioned device, the housing 14 possesses supportor reference surfaces 78 which are displaced out of the plane of the bottom of the housing in such a way that the mortar or plaster, which when inserting or pressing in the base plate escapes from the joint between the housing and the base plate, cannot reach these references surfaces. Naturally, in order to attach the device or apparatus at the housing it is possible to use the screw members 60 and 62.

Now, in order to facilitate the displacement of the slide plate 42 upon the base plate 18 during opening or closing of the slide closure mechanism 36, it is advantageous to lubricate both of the confronting surfaces of the components which are formed of ceramic material. Suitable for this purpose are powder-water or alcohol suspensions or mixtures, whereby there can be used as the powdery substances chrome spinel, talcum, zirconium oxide, lead ferrite and graphite or sulfide mixtures. Several of these powders can also be successfully employed in dry condition.

In the still-closed condition of the slide closure mechanism 16 and prior to tapping or pouring of the liquid melt into the casting or pouring ladle, it is possible to fill the bore of the bottom block sleeve member 28 with a liquid metal or a liquid metal alloy of considerably lower solidification temperature than that of the metal which is to be cast. As a result, it is possible to prevent the danger of solidification of the metal which is to be cast in the relatively narrow cross sections. Naturally, this danger is appreciably great in those instances where the casting ladle has to move a relatively great distance between the furnace and the casting location, in other words when the casting operation from the ladle can only begin relatively late in time. This filling metal must, of course, possess a greater specific weight than the metal to be cast. Additionally, it must not be soluble or only slightly soluble or capable of being alloyed. In the case of steel, lead for instance, comes under consideration as the filling metal.

In connection with the utilization of a filling metal or material the diverging form of the bore 30 at the bottom block sleeve member 28 in the flow direction is of significance. Owing to such form, there is provided a narrower inlet cross section at the bottom block sleeve member and there only exists a slight tendency of the casting metal washing out the filling metal during pouring into the ladle.

Now, for the bores 44 and 52 and even the bore 20, it has been found to be advantageous to provide a conicalness of up to It is possible to prevent an undesired solidification of the cast metal in the bore 52 by preventing a pronounced heat transfer at the jacket 40 by the insulation 54 surrounding the discharge or pouring member 50 as well as by applying additional heat by means of the heating spiral or coil 56. In this context the rearward positioning of the bottom of the discharge member 50 with respect to the insulation member S4 and the jacket 40, in the manner shown in FIG. 1, has also been found to be effective.

Directing attention now to the modification of casting installation depicted in FIG. 2, itwill be recognized that the bottom block or stone 108 possesses a conically widening recess 110 which receives at its upper'region a conical bottom block sleeve member 112. On the other hand, the adjoining lower portion of the conically widening recess or bore 110 receives an upwardly directed conical projection or shoulder 116 of a base plate 114. Furthermorefit will be seen that the bottom block sleeve member 112 is provided with a bore 118 which diverges in the direction of material flow. On the other hand, the shoulder or projection 116 is equipped with a converging bore portion 120 and a subsequently merging bore portion 122 which slightly diverges in the flow direction. Further, this slightly diverging bore portion 122 is situated at the base plate 114 which is formed of one piece with the shoulder or projection 116. Additionally, the slide plate 124 possesses an opening 126 which converges in the flow direction. Owing to the described form or configuration the edges, which limit the bore 122 and the opening 126 at the parting plane 128 between the base plate 114 and the slide plate 124, are particularly subjected to much less damage owing to the lower material stresses. I

As will be recognized by referring to FIG. 4, it can be advantageous to construct the components in the manner shown therein in order to attach the base plate at the housing. More precisely, in this instance the base plate 130 possesses a tapered portion 145 at the peripheral surface 132, whereas the recess 134 which receives the base plate 130 is equipped with an appropriately undercut inner wall 138. When the layer of mortar or plaster 140 has hardened, the base plate 130 is wedged in the housing and its appropriately configured recess 134.

It is still to be mentioned that actuation of the slide member 36 in the housing 14, thatis to say its movement between the open position and the closed position, can be undertaken by means of a suitable drive, schematically shown in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 150, and which may for instance encompass a hydraulically actuated piston which is displaceably mounted in a cylinder secured to the housing.

Iclaim:

l. A casting installation comprising a container for a molten metal, said container including a bottom portion having an opening for the discharge of molten metal material therefrom, control slide means disposed at the region of said bottom opening of said container, said control slide means incorporating a housing and a cover member, a slide member movably mounted between said housing and said cover member, a slide plate supported by said slide member, said slide plate having a through-flow opening, means for guiding said slide member in a substantially linear path including means for guiding said slide member laterally with respect to the axis of material through-flow, said guiding means being provided only at said cover member, positioning element means provided at said cover member and said housing and engaging one another in order to maintain the path of sliding movement for said slide member which is determined by said linear guiding means in a plane containing the axis 'of material through-flow, a base plate having a through-flow opening and against which is pressed said slide plate, means for providing a clamping force for pressing said slide plate against said base plate, said means providing said clamping force incorporating only two tension screw members, the axes of which screw members are disposed in a plane containing the axis of the through-flow opening of said base plate, and said base plate being intercepted at right angles by the path of sliding movement for said slide member.

2. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said lateral guiding means comprise guide groove means provided at said cover member. I

3. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said linear guiding means comprise guide ledge means provided at said cover member.

4. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said linear guiding means are disposed at only one side of said through-flow axis.

5. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said positioning element means includes two positioning element members provided at said housing.

6. A casting installation as defined in claim I, further including a bottom block sleeve member provided for said container, said bottom block sleeve member including an inlet portion and a bore portion merging directly with said inlet portion, said bore portion diverging in the flow direction of the molten metal material.

7. A casting installation as defined in claim 6, wherein said bottom block sleeve member is constructed of two portions.

8. A casting installation as defined in claim 1 further including a bottom block sleeve member and a base plate, said bottom block sleeve member and said base plate engaging in one another.

9. A casting installation comprising a container for a molten metal, said container including a bottom portion having an opening for the discharge of molten metal material therefrom, control slide means disposed at the region of said bottom opening of said container, said control slide means incorporating a housing and a cover member, a slide member movably mounted between said housing and said cover member, a slide plate supported by said slide member, said slide plate having a through-flow opening, means for guiding said slide member in a substantially linear path including means for guiding said slide member laterally with respect to the axis of material through-flow, said guiding means being provided only at said cover member to both sides of said axis of through-flow, said guide means at one side of said through--flow axis providing a tight fit for linear guiding and at the other side of said throughflow axis a loose fit to accommodate thermal expansion effor providing a clamping force for pressing said slide plate against said base plate, said means providing said clamping force incorporating only two tension screw members, the axes of which screw members are disposed in a plane containing the axis of the through-flow opening of said base plate. 

2. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said lateral guiding means comprise guide groove means provided at said cover member.
 3. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said linear guiding means comprise guide ledge means provided at said cover member.
 4. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said linear guiding means are disposed at only one side of said through-flow axis.
 5. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, wherein said positioning element means includes two positioning element members provided at said housing.
 6. A casting installation as defined in claim 1, further including a bottom block sleeve member provided for said container, said bottom block sleeve member including an inlet portion and a bore portion merging directly with said inlet portion, said bore portion diverging in the flow direction of the molten metal material.
 7. A casting installation as defined in claim 6, wherein said bottom block sleeve member is constructed of two portions.
 8. A casting installation as defined in claim 1 further including a bottom block sleeve member and a base plate, said bottom block sleeve member and said base plate engaging in one another.
 9. A casting installation comprising a container for a molten metal, said container including a bottom portion having an opening for the discharge of molten metal material therefrom, control slide means disposed at the region of said bottom opening of said container, said control slide means incorporating a housing and a cover member, a slide member movably mounted between said housing and said cover member, a slide plate supported by said slide member, said slide plate having a through-flow opening, means for guiding said slide member in a substantially linear path including means for guiding said slide member laterally with respect to the axis of material through-flow, said guiding means being provided only at said cover member to both sides of said axis of through-flow, said guide means at one side of said through-flow axis providing a tight fit for linear guiding and at the other side of said through-flow axis a loose fit to accommodate thermal expansion effects, positioning element means provided at said cover member and said housing and engaging one another in order to maintain the path of sliding movement for said slide member which is determined by said linear guiding means in a predetermined plane, a base plate having a through-flow opening and against which is pressed said slide plate, means for providing a clamping force for pressing said slide plate against said base plate, said means providing said clamping force incorporating only two tension screw members, the axes of which screw members are disposed in a plane containing the axis of the through-flow opening of said base plate. 